Psalm 3 Devotional: Letting Go of Control and Finding Rest

Free Printable Psalm 3 Devotional Study Guide Below ↓

Hello, sweet friends! ☕ Ashley here from Coffee and Bible Time — I’m so glad you’re here!
Our heart at Coffee and Bible Time is simple: we want to help you delight in God’s Word and grow in intimacy with Jesus every single day.

Today, I want to share something deeply personal with you — something I’ve wrestled with for years and maybe you have too: the need to be in control. And together, we’re going to look at a passage that changed everything for me: Psalm 3.

The Moment I Realized I Wasn’t in Control

Not long ago, my husband Johnny and I were driving home from a long trip — exhausted, running on about four hours of sleep, and facing Chicago traffic at 6 a.m. 😅
If you’ve ever been in big-city traffic, you know it’s not exactly the time to take a nap!

As we sped down the highway surrounded by semis and cars darting in every direction, I felt this deep need to stay awake. Somehow, I believed that by staying alert, I could control what was happening — Johnny’s driving, the cars around us, the journey home.

But the truth hit me in that quiet, humbling moment: I wasn’t in control at all.
Johnny was. And I could trust him.

So I closed my eyes and finally rested.

And that’s when God whispered something to my heart that I’ll never forget:

“Ashley, this is what it means to trust Me.”

Learning to Rest When Life Feels Out of Control

Psalm 3 is a powerful psalm of trust in the midst of chaos. David wrote it when he was fleeing from his own son, Absalom — a time of deep betrayal, fear, and loss.

“O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me…
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
(Psalm 3:1–3)

David’s world was falling apart — people were turning against him, his life was in danger, and he was utterly exhausted. Yet, even in that terrifying place, David said something remarkable:

“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.” (Psalm 3:5)

Isn’t that beautiful?
When everything around him screamed panic, David chose to rest. He trusted that God — not his own strength, not his soldiers, not his strategies — would protect and sustain him.

When Are We Most Vulnerable?

Think about it: sleep is one of the most vulnerable things we do. When we close our eyes, we give up control. We can’t defend ourselves, make decisions, or fix problems. We simply have to trust that God is watching over us.

David’s peace in Psalm 3 wasn’t because his enemies disappeared. His peace came because he knew who God was.

“You, O Lord, are a shield about me.”
(Psalm 3:3)

Friend, maybe you’re in a season where you feel unsafe, unseen, or uncertain about the road ahead. Maybe you’re clinging to control because it feels like the only thing holding you together.
But God is inviting you — right here, right now — to release that control and find rest in Him.

“Jesus, Take the Wheel” — For Real This Time

When we give our lives to Jesus, we hand Him the keys. We say,

“Lord, You’re in the driver’s seat now.”

But sometimes, if we’re honest, we try to grab the wheel back.
We become backseat drivers, telling God which way to turn, when to speed up, when to stop. We act like we know the road better than He does.

Yet Psalm 3 reminds us that the safest place to be is not behind the wheel — it’s in the passenger seat, resting and trusting that our Heavenly Father knows exactly where He’s taking us.

“I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.”
(Psalm 3:6)

Reflection: Where Do You Need to Let Go?

Ask yourself today:

• What area of my life am I still trying to control?
• Do I trust God to protect me when I can’t see what’s ahead?
• Am I willing to say, “Jesus, take the wheel,” even before I’m desperate?

Surrender isn’t a one-time event. It’s a daily invitation.
And like David, when we choose to trust, we can finally rest.

A Prayer for Surrender

Lord,
Thank You that You are my shield, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Help me to lay down my fears and sleep in peace, knowing You sustain me.
I give You control over every part of my life — my plans, my worries, my future.
Take the wheel, Jesus. Lead me safely home.
Amen.

Free Resource: Psalm 3 Devotional Study Guide

Perfect for your quiet time, small group, or family devotion night!

Final Thought

Friend, you don’t have to hold the world together.
You can close your eyes, breathe deep, and rest — because the same God who sustained David in the wilderness sustains you today.

Let go of control.
Lay down in peace.
And let your heart be lifted by the One who loves you most.

“Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people!”
(Psalm 3:8)

It’s the perfect companion to today’s video — whether for your quiet time, small group, or family devotion.

A Simple Prayer to End Your Day

Lord, thank You that You are my shield and my rest.
Help me to release control and trust You fully —
even when life feels uncertain.
Sustain me tonight, as You sustained David.
Amen.

Related Resources

Our Psalms Devotional is a 30 week Bible Study Devotional with guided prompts. It’s a wonderful way to spend time reading through Psalms.

• More Bible Study Printables from Coffee & Bible Time